Q & A with Fashion Designer Annie Griffin
Annie Griffin, mother of two and designer behind women's contemporary brand of her own name, has amassed a dedicated fan base of her feminine silhouettes and bold prints in a very short time. With a background in studio art and a focus on painting, it is no surprise that Annie's custom prints are a signature to the brand. We are so excited to feature Annie as a BURU Tastemaker. She is an inspiration to all of us working mamas...and well of course, we appreciate the easy to wear shapes of Annie's classic blouses and tunics! (Perfect for post-pregnancy tummies!)
BR: What do you love most about being a mom?
AG: Seeing my children enjoy themselves. My husband and I laugh about the sweet and hilarious things that they do during the day. It is one of my favorite parts of the day.
BR: What is the number one way in which motherhood has changed you?
AG: It has made me see the world differently. Things that once seemed like a big deal, don't seem to matter as much. I feel like I can handle pretty much anything that is thrown at me at this point in life.
BR: Did you breast-feed? If so, how did it affect your wardrobe choices?
AG: I was one of the unlucky ones who had a hard time trying to get my children to latch. In the beginning anything with a lot of drape that does not hug the body is what I went for.
BR: What are your must-haves from BURU and why do they work in your mommy lifestyle?
B-Low The Belt Theon Wrap Belt
Yosi Samra Leather Mom Flat in Navy
Bella Dahl Split Back Button Down in Evening Mist (Dark Denim)
10 Crosby by Derek Lam Cross Front Stripe Sweater
10 Crosby by Derek Lam Short Sleeve V-Neck Top in Oatmeal
Smythe Dickens Half Sleeve Pinstripe Blazer
Ace & Jig Duster Stargazer Ivory Print
BR: We are all about mama owned businesses, and we would like to share a little more of your story with our BURU moms. Can you give us a bit of background on how you started The Annie Griffin Collection?
AG: I was an art major at SMU and then went on to work for interior designer, Phoebe Howard. While I was interested in interior design, I knew my interest lied in fashion design. I then enrolled in SCAD and started designing my first collection. It has been a huge learning curve and a long road, but starting out on my own and then slowly growing the business one foot at a time has been incredibly rewarding. I started the company about a year before my sister graduated from Georgia. After graduation she started helping me with sales.
BR: The signature Annie Griffin prints are so fun and fresh. What is the most difficult step in creating your prints? Where do you find your inspiration?
AG: Getting to design our own prints is one of the most exciting and fun things about our business. We choose a new inspiration each season. We get inspiration from everything from pictures of nature on our iPhone all the way to researching doors in Thailand.
BR: You recently had baby number 2. What Annie Griffin pieces worked for you and your bump?
AG: My go-to blouses have been the Sadie, Crosby and Francis blouses.
BR: What do you find is the biggest challenge of running a successful and growing business while also raising successful and growing children? How do you tackle this challenge?
AG: It is very challenging. I struggle to find a balance between work and life as a mom. Having to let things go in both aspects of my life has been difficult for me. I can't be there with my kids all the time and I can't be at work all the time, so I have had to learn to be a bit more flexible on everything. With deadlines in this industry, our business has to keep moving, so I cannot be there every step of the way.
BR: How do you make time for yourselves? Any girl-time only or date night rituals that you squeeze into the hustle and bustle of everyday life?
AG: We shoot for a date night once a week and love it when it actually happens :) I love a good girls night, although they are few and far between. Usually my mom time is spent at the park running around after our little ones :)
BR: Your little ones are SO cute! If you wouldn’t mind sharing, please tell us a few of your favorite mommy moments.
AG: Gosh, it's hard to say.Its so sweet how my 3 month old already loves to watch his older brother. For my older son, I think it is when he gets the most excited about new things. We took him to see the lights at the botanical gardens this Christmas and I have never seen a child more excited in my life ! so sweet!
Tell us your favorite...
Bedtime Story: my favorite, my 2 year old's favorite anything dealing with trucks, trains or automobiles
Lullaby: Hush Little Baby
Vacation Spot: The North Carolina Mountains
Restaurant: Miller Union
Children’s Brand: A Little English & Bella Bliss
BR: What’s the one thing you wish you would have known before becoming a mother?
AG: It would be the hardest and most rewarding thing you will ever experience. The good moments are the most amazing moments of your life, but there is a lot of behind the scenes work that goes into having children! It is all worth it
